One adviser told Walker to be wary of potential public relations problems because of Thompson's tendency to "generate headlines" with his candor, and another said he was concerned about Walker sharing the spotlight with Thompson.

The emails, released under the state's open records law, come at a difficult time for Thompson, who was eliminated in the second round of balloting Saturday in his attempt to get the state Republican Party's endorsement in his run for U.S. Senate.

On Nov. 12, 2010 - 10 days after winning election - Walker wrote his top advisers a short email with the subject line "Tommy."

"TGT wants to be involved," Walker wrote, referring to Thompson by his initials. "What is a good role for him? Honorary chair of Inaugural (with 5 co-chairs)?"

Soon after, Walker campaign consultant R.J. Johnson urged caution.

"As long as it doesn't make him a huge part of the dialogue in a way that distracts from what you want talked about," Johnson wrote. "Chairing your inaugural will open up comparisons, insinuations of control and potential PR problems (his candor that generates headlines) if not handled correctly."

"It makes a lot of sense to reach out to him, I had mentioned that to Keith on Wednesday," Johnson went on, referring to Walker's campaign manager, Keith Gilkes. "But think about where that puts him in terms of a microphone or framing. Especially if you pick old TGT people to fill key roles."

"I agree with all of rj's comments and may be even more concerned about sharing the spotlight and looking background. I don't recall lee dreyfus having a prominent role in TGT's inaugural," he wrote, referring to the last Republican governor to serve before Thompson.

There was no response among the emails that showed how Walker reacted.

"Scott Walker's inauguration was rightly focused on his message and agenda as the incoming governor," Thompson campaign consultant Darrin Schmitz said in a statement. "We would have agreed to keep the event and the spotlight on Governor Walker and his plans."

In an email to the Journal Sentinel on Monday, Johnson said it should not be a surprise that the attention was to be on Walker.

"My advice was intended to convey that sentiment and make sure the focus was on the governor and his agenda for the state," Johnson wrote.

Grebe could not be reached for comment.

Walker's administration and his campaign could point to no official role Thompson had in the inauguration.

"Gov. Walker appreciated Gov. Thompson's participation in the ceremony as he took the oath of office," campaign spokesman Tom Evenson said.

About Patrick Marley

Patrick Marley covers state government and state politics. He is the author, with Journal Sentinel reporter Jason Stein, of "More Than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin.”